The ten closest Senate races in the U.S.

The campaign trail can be tough — insane travel itineraries, little sleep, all that hand-shaking — so keeping that calorie count up is important.
Some candidates take to it better than others, check out this slideshow to see politicians stuffing their faces while stuffing their campaign coffers. less

The campaign trail can be tough — insane travel itineraries, little sleep, all that hand-shaking — so keeping that calorie count up is important.
Some candidates take to it better than others, check out ... more

Photo: Charles Krupa / AP Photo

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney eats ice cream from Millie's on the run before a fundraising event earlier this month in Nantucket, Mass.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney eats ice cream from Millie's on the run before a fundraising event earlier this month in Nantucket, Mass.

Photo: Evan Vucci / AP Photo

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Photo: Winslow Townson / AP Photo

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Go big or go home: If you have the opportunity to eat a pork chop on a stick in front of an American flag, you better get to chomping.

Go big or go home: If you have the opportunity to eat a pork chop on a stick in front of an American flag, you better get to chomping.

Photo: AP

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Photo: AP

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Rule# 374: It's always a good idea to eat whatever "ethnic" food is presented to you — the broader your appeal the better.

Rule# 374: It's always a good idea to eat whatever "ethnic" food is presented to you — the broader your appeal the better.

Photo: AP

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Here, Mike Huckabee eats the same pork chop at the same event four years earlier.

Here, Mike Huckabee eats the same pork chop at the same event four years earlier.

Photo: AP

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Vice President Joe Biden, known mostly for putting his foot in his mouth puts other things in there too, like a Whiz-wit cheesesteak from Pat's King of Steaks, a Philly institution.

Vice President Joe Biden, known mostly for putting his foot in his mouth puts other things in there too, like a Whiz-wit cheesesteak from Pat's King of Steaks, a Philly institution.

Photo: AP

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Nixon never learned to stay away from eating starchy pastes with your hands, it never looks good on camera.

Nixon never learned to stay away from eating starchy pastes with your hands, it never looks good on camera.

Photo: AP

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But he gets bonus points for successfully using chopsticks.

But he gets bonus points for successfully using chopsticks.

Photo: AP

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Being seen with a hot dog is always good for your "normal Joe" image, but it can be tricky.

Being seen with a hot dog is always good for your "normal Joe" image, but it can be tricky.

Photo: AP

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No one gets more Americana points than Ronald Reagan, seen here eating a Big Mac in Alabama.

No one gets more Americana points than Ronald Reagan, seen here eating a Big Mac in Alabama.

Photo: AP

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Ice cream is a big favorite too, even among the losers like Michael Dukakis.

Ice cream is a big favorite too, even among the losers like Michael Dukakis.

Photo: AP

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Ice cream is decidedly less patriotic, however, when you are eating it with Fidel Castro in Cuba. George McGovern doesn't seem to mind though.

Ice cream is decidedly less patriotic, however, when you are eating it with Fidel Castro in Cuba. George McGovern doesn't seem to mind though.

Photo: AP

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The most important rule, however, is to make sure to eat the sweet corn in Iowa...or the Chowder in Boston...or the cheese slice in New York.

The most important rule, however, is to make sure to eat the sweet corn in Iowa...or the Chowder in Boston...or the cheese slice in New York.

Photo: AP

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Even JFK partook in the time-honored tradition of the Iowa corn feed.

Even JFK partook in the time-honored tradition of the Iowa corn feed.

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Sometimes they make you feed other people. Probably not the best idea for a photo op, Gerry.

Sometimes they make you feed other people. Probably not the best idea for a photo op, Gerry.

Photo: AP

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Very rarely will they ask you to feed an elephant, but Ike was always prepared for the unexpected.

Very rarely will they ask you to feed an elephant, but Ike was always prepared for the unexpected.

Photo: AP

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Clinton was perhaps the best known campaign junk food junkie, but he also was well known for liking the ladies.

Clinton was perhaps the best known campaign junk food junkie, but he also was well known for liking the ladies.

Photo: AP

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You'd think Romney would know that one of the bigger sins is stealing an old man's pancake.

You'd think Romney would know that one of the bigger sins is stealing an old man's pancake.

Photo: AP

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But eating a hamburger in front of a sign that reads "Believe in America" brings you back on message.

But eating a hamburger in front of a sign that reads "Believe in America" brings you back on message.

Photo: AP

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The ten closest Senate races in the U.S.

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It’s a nail-biter.

And we’re not just talking about the presidential race.

Thirteen of the 33 Senate contests remain up for grabs with just a week left before the election. And there’s a lot at stake.

If the current leader ends up winning, the Republicans will net one seat in the Senate, leaving the Democrats with a narrow majority. The best case scenario for Republicans is a gain of nine seats and a solid majority. The Democrats’ best case scenario is a pick-up of four.

Here are the ten closest Senate races in the country, based on our analysis of RealClearPolitics data. And thanks to Max Kranl of the Hearst Washington bureau for collecting the numbers for us to slice and dice:

1. Montana: Denny Rehberg (R) vs. Sen. Jon Tester (D)

Average: Rehberg +0.3
Range: Rehberg +3 to Tester +2
Most recent polls: Rehberg leads one poll, Tester leads one, one a tie
Polling reliability: High
Rick Dunham’s analysis: Can Democrats turn out their voters in a red state to save their most endangered incumbent?

Average: Murphy +3.1
Range: Murphy +6 to tie
Most recent polls: Murphy leading in five of six polls, one a tie
Polling reliability: High
Rick Dunham’s analysis: Murphy has rebounded from September slump but hasn’t put race away.

7. Nevada: Sen. Dean Heller (R) vs. Shelley Berkley (D)

Sen. Scott Brown on Capitol Hill (AP photo)

Average: Heller +3.5
Range: Heller +6 to tie
Most recent polls: Heller leading in three of four polls, one a tie
Polling reliability: High
Rick Dunham’s analysis: Romney rebound has helped Heller.

Average: Berg +5.0
Range: Berg +10 to tie
Most recent polls: Berg leading in two of three polls, one a tie
Polling reliability: Low
Rick Dunham’s analysis: Romney romp may rescue Berg from strong foe.

10. Missouri: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) vs. Todd Akin (R)

Average: McCaskill +5.0
Range: McCaskill +6 to McCaskill +1
Most recent polls: McCaskill leads in all three polls
Polling reliability: High
Rick Dunham’s analysis: McCaskill hasn’t been able to close the deal against a weak opponent.